Recent executive actions by President Donald Trump may significantly impact Arizona’s library and museum programs, potentially ending initiatives like Wi-Fi hotspot lending and literacy efforts. On March 14, Trump issued an order to reduce operations in seven federal agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), with the directive to eliminate these entities as much as legally possible.
The IMLS plays a crucial role in supporting library and museum services through grants and resources. In Arizona alone, since 2020, more than $18 million has been derived from this federal agency. The future of these funds remains uncertain, as does the fate of grants already awarded. Notably, the Arizona State Library has secured $3.8 million in Library Services and Technology Act funds for fiscal year 2024, ending in September 2025.
In response to this threat, on April 4, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes joined a coalition of 19 other states, led by the attorneys general of New York and Rhode Island, in a lawsuit aimed at preventing the dissolution of IMLS and other federal agencies.
“In communities across Arizona, libraries aren’t just a place to borrow books – they’re a lifeline,” Mayes emphasized. She highlighted the reliance on federal support for services such as internet access, job training, and youth literacy programs. Without such support, disparities between communities could widen, especially affecting children’s literacy development.
Jason Macoviak, manager of the Copper Queen Library in Bisbee, noted the potential impact on after-school programs, which are vital in areas where median incomes are low, such as Bisbee. The loss of IMLS funding could leave working parents without essential childcare options.
Tribal communities are also at risk. This year, the Arizona State Library distributed nearly $367,000 in IMLS funds to 10 tribal groups. For instance, the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation used $10,000 to support foster families and cultural connections, while the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians invested over $137,000 in a project aimed at early childhood education and literacy.
IMLS funding has enabled the Ak-Chin Indian Community to provide critical library access for children. Macoviak remarked that these grants help small libraries undertake significant community projects, such as the Copper Queen Library’s Wi-Fi hotspot lending program, which is highly popular and constantly in demand.
Kimberlie McCue, chief science officer at the Desert Botanical Garden, shared how IMLS grants have allowed the garden to expand its community engagement. The garden, a living museum, has benefited from IMLS support since 1998, developing resources like the publicly accessible Live Collections Management System and improving herbarium storage.
IMLS funds have also empowered broader educational initiatives. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum collaborated with a local school district to create the “We Bee Scientists” program, providing free curriculum access to K-6 students and fostering environmental awareness.
Catherine Bartlett from the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum emphasized the breadth of programs supported by IMLS, particularly those enhancing educational opportunities for younger generations.
McCue highlighted the significance of these programs, noting, “When we know that our impact goes far beyond our garden gates, that’s the best feeling of all because it means what we’re doing matters and it matters to a lot of people.”
For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org.
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